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It’s no secret that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been a fan of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries, including famously appearing in one episode.

But what would the straitlaced turn-of-the-century detective think about the shenanigans and spending scandals that have plagued the Canadian Senate lately?

“I think Detective Murdoch would say that what sets Canada apart is that we are known for being above board, that we don’t fudge numbers and misrepresent ourselves,” says actor Yannick Bisson, who plays William Murdoch, in an interview. “What’s happening now wouldn’t be acceptable in Murdoch’s time and it’s not acceptable now. And everyone, including the Prime Minister, should be accountable to the citizens.”

Like his beloved TV character, Bisson plays it straight. Murdoch is popular with audiences because he is a throwback to a simpler time when viewers felt there was stricter moral code: that deeds and words mattered. That’s also why Harper, who has said it’s his favourite program, is a fan of the series.

It finished filming a seventh season this month, with new episodes airing Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

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“I think it’s remained popular because what makes us not fit in also makes us stand out,” says Bisson. “We’re not really a comedy, or drama, or a mystery or science fiction, we’re kind of all those things.”

Key to that popularity has been Bisson, who exudes an unwavering Forrest Gump sincerity in his role as the earnest detective, solving crime with an array of Inspector Gadget-type devices while happening to run across famous folk like Thomas Edison or former Canadian prime ministers.

Or most recently, meeting the ancestor of Jake Doyle (Allan Hawco) from the CBC series Republic of Doyle, which airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. Bisson and Hawco swapped guest-starring roles in each other’s series, with Bisson to play a role in an upcoming episode of Republic of Doyle in January.

“Our writers came up with the brilliant idea of taking Murdoch to Newfoundland and while he’s out there, why not hang out with our best friend and neighbour Allan Hawco? And then I guess I get to return the favour,” says Bisson. “It’s a bit fantastical and we’ve got our tongue planted firmly in cheek.”

This season, the CBC, showing confidence in the growing popularity of the series, supersized the order, from the usual 13 to 18 shows. The show was also picked up by the Ovation network in the United States this year.

But that meant a tougher than normal schedule for Bisson.

“We had already done six tough seasons, so I knew what was coming my way, but about two thirds through I knew I was spent. I don’t want to say I had a physical breakdown, but I was really tired. I really had to pull back,” said Bisson, who had to change his lifestyle, even cutting out coffee in an effort to de-stress.

“But really, it’s been a great blessing to be able to do this.”

What Bisson would like to do more of is direct.

This year, he helmed a Murdoch “zombie” episode, which was one of the highest rated in the series.

But he insists he’s not “jumping the shark” (the industry euphemism for running out of ideas) by throwing zombies into the mix.

“It was rooted in an aspect of truth, so it was not completely implausible in the Murdoch world. I did take some liberties and had some fun with it, but it turned out well.”

Perhaps the most challenging feat for a relatively new director was telling Harper what to do when he directed the Prime Minister’s cameo appearance in Season 4.

“It was very surreal, very odd. In showbiz sometimes, we’re a little disgruntled our budgets are low, sometimes our buildings aren’t that great and the sets aren’t so cool, and all of a sudden you have these security teams showing up poking around on set and you’re on high alert,” says Bisson. “And I was never sure what to call him. Steve maybe? It was bizarre. Looking back I don’t think we actually ever said each other’s name.”

But Harper was a good sport, says Bisson.

“He just told me, ‘Tell me whatever you need, I want this to be good.’”

But never mind the prime minister. What would Murdoch have thought of the swirl of drug use allegations facing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford? Bisson doesn’t hesitate before going into character:

“Murdoch has had several run-ins with the mayor of Toronto before, so I think he would tell him to his face: ‘I’ve saved your life, sir, and I’ve laid down my life for you. So perhaps you should make an attempt to sacrifice for your own people.’”

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